Reliable NDIS Transport in Melbourne for Everyday Travel
Getting to appointments, work, study or community activities can become difficult when transport does not accommodate your disability, mobility needs or regular routine.
Hilda Care provides NDIS transport support across Melbourne, including support worker transport and wheelchair-accessible travel options for participants who need help getting where they need to go.
We consider your travel routine, accessibility requirements, the support you need during the journey, and the relevant funding in your NDIS plan before transport begins.
Hilda Care is a registered NDIS provider registered for Assist-Travel/Transport, Provider Registration Number 4050126032.
NDIS Transport for Appointments, Work, Study and Community Access
Having somewhere important to be should not mean relying on transport that does not account for the support you need before, during, or after the journey. Depending on your NDIS funding and individual support arrangement, Hilda Care can assist with travel to:
- Medical and allied health appointments
- Work and employment activities
- School, university, training or other study
- Community and social activities
- Day programs and funded activities
- Shopping and everyday errands where these form part of your funded support arrangement
- Recreational activities and community events
The level of assistance is different for each participant.
You may mainly need transport from one location to another, or you may also need help getting ready, entering and leaving the vehicle, communicating, navigating your destination or participating once you arrive.
That is why transport is discussed as part of your overall support needs, rather than treated as only a pick-up and drop-off service.
Transport That Works With Your Other NDIS Supports
Managing personal care, transport and community support through separate arrangements can make one appointment much harder to organise than it needs to be.
Where appropriate, we can coordinate transport with other funded support being delivered on the same day. For example, if a support worker assists with your morning routine before an appointment, the travel and assistance required at the destination can be discussed as part of the broader support arrangement. The same approach can apply when your day includes community participation, shopping, appointments or another funded activity.
How the support is arranged and charged depends on the activity being supported, your NDIS funding and your service agreement. The aim is to make your day easier to manage while keeping your routine, preferences and choices at the centre of the support.
More Consistent Transport Support for Regular Trips
Regular weekly transport can become frustrating when you repeatedly have to explain where you are going, how you need assistance and what works best for you.
For ongoing transport arrangements, we aim to provide familiar and consistent support workers where possible. This can be particularly valuable when you regularly travel to:
- Therapy or healthcare appointments
- Work or study
- Day programs
- Community activities
- Social or recreational commitments
Your regular routine, mobility requirements and important travel preferences can be discussed when support is arranged so the worker understands the assistance you need.
If your schedule changes, the transport arrangement can also be reviewed so it continues to fit your current routine rather than an outdated one.
Wheelchair Accessible NDIS Transport in Melbourne
A vehicle being labelled accessible does not always mean it suits every participant’s wheelchair, mobility equipment or boarding needs. We offer accessible transport options for participants who use wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
When arranging accessible transport, tell the team about:
- The wheelchair or mobility equipment you use
- Assistance you need entering or leaving the vehicle
- Any relevant mobility requirements
- Other equipment that affects your travel setup
- Support you require during the journey
Providing this information early allows us to discuss suitable transport options and support requirements before arranging the trip.
Accessible vehicle availability depends on the required setup, location, schedule, and current availability, so it is best to discuss these needs when arranging your support rather than waiting until the day of travel.
Understand How NDIS Transport Funding Applies
NDIS transport funding can be confusing because transport isn’t funded or charged the same way in every situation. There is an important difference between Recurring Transport funding included in an NDIS plan and transport provided while another funded support is being delivered.
Recurring Transport Funding
Recurring Transport is an NDIS support category for eligible participants who cannot travel or use public transport independently because of their disability.
It can support travel connected with activities such as work, study, day programs and community, social or recreational participation. Where Recurring Transport is included in your plan, it appears within the Recurring Supports budget.
Activity Based Transport
For some funded supports, a provider may also be able to claim Activity Based Transport when transporting a participant while delivering that support. For example, transport may occur while a support worker is delivering an eligible community participation support.
This does not apply every time a support worker drives you. It depends on:
- The funded support being delivered
- The relevant NDIS support item
- Your available funding
- The transport being provided
- Your service agreement
Before transport starts, Hilda Care can review the relevant funding and service arrangement with you so it is clear how the support will be delivered and charged.
NDIS Transport Across Greater Melbourne
Living further from your regular appointments or activities can mean more travel time and more planning around your available support. Hilda Care provides NDIS transport support across Greater Melbourne, subject to service availability and your individual requirements.
When discussing regular transport, the team can consider:
- Your pick-up location
- Your regular destinations
- Approximate travel time
- Accessibility requirements
- Support required before, during or after travel
- Other support being provided on the same day
Longer cross-city journeys and Melbourne traffic can also affect scheduling, so realistic travel time should be considered when regular transport is arranged.
If you are unsure whether we can provide transport from your suburb, contact the team with your location and destination so current availability can be confirmed.
Changing NDIS Transport Providers in Melbourne
Transport becomes difficult to rely on when trips are regularly disrupted, communication is poor or the arrangement no longer suits your accessibility and support needs. If your current NDIS transport provider is no longer working for you, you can discuss another arrangement.
Hilda Care can talk with you about:
- The transport support you currently receive
- What is not working with the current arrangement
- Your regular destinations and schedule
- Mobility and accessibility requirements
- Assistance required during travel
- Other supports that need to work around your transport
Before changing providers, check any notice period or cancellation requirements in your current service agreement. You can then discuss the availability with us and possible start arrangements before ending your existing support, helping reduce unnecessary disruption to regular travel.
Transport Referrals for Families and Support Coordinators
Arranging transport on behalf of a participant can become complicated when appointments, funding, mobility requirements and other supports all need to work together. Families, carers and support coordinators can contact us directly to discuss a participant’s transport needs.
Having the following information available can make the initial discussion easier:
- Participant’s suburb
- Regular destinations
- Days and approximate travel times
- Whether transport is regular or linked to a particular activity
- Relevant NDIS funding
- Mobility and accessibility requirements
- Wheelchair or mobility equipment used during travel
- Assistance needed during the journey
- Other supports being delivered before or after travel
With the participant’s consent, we coordinate the arrangement with the relevant support personnel involved.
Support coordinators can use Hilda Care’s referral pathway to submit participant details directly to the team.
Why Choose Hilda Care for NDIS Transport in Melbourne?
- Registered NDIS provider: Provider Registration Number 4050126032, with Assist-Travel/Transport included in its approved registration groups.
- Accessible transport options: Support for participants using wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
- Coordinated support: Transport can work alongside other funded Hilda Care supports where appropriate.
- More consistent regular support: Hilda Care aims to provide familiar support workers for ongoing arrangements where possible.
- Greater Melbourne coverage: Availability is confirmed based on your location, schedule and travel requirements.
- Different plan management types: Hilda Care works with NDIA-managed, plan-managed and self-managed participants, subject to the relevant service and funding arrangement.
FAQs About NDIS Transport in Melbourne
Does Hilda Care provide wheelchair accessible transport in Melbourne?
Yes. We provide accessible transport options for participants who use wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. Tell the team about your mobility equipment and travel requirements when enquiring so they can discuss suitable options.
Can I get the same support worker for regular transport?
We aim to provide familiar and consistent support workers for regular arrangements where possible. Exact rostering depends on worker availability, your schedule, and the type of support required.
How is transport funded through the NDIS?
Transport can be funded differently depending on your plan and the support being delivered. Eligible participants may have Recurring Transport within their Recurring Supports budget. Transport may also be provided as part of another eligible funded support, with Activity Based Transport rules applying in some situations. Discuss the relevant funding and service arrangement before support begins.
What are the three NDIS Recurring Transport levels?
The NDIS currently has three Recurring Transport funding levels.
Level 1 can apply to participants who are not working, studying or attending day programs but want greater community access.
Level 2 applies to participants working or studying part-time for up to 15 hours per week, attending day programs, or participating in other social, recreational, or leisure activities.
Level 3 applies to participants working or studying at least 15 hours per week.
The NDIA determines whether Recurring Transport is included in your plan and which level applies based on your individual circumstances.
Can a support worker drive me as part of community participation?
In some circumstances, yes. For eligible funded supports, a provider may be able to transport a participant while delivering that support and claim relevant Activity Based Transport costs. This depends on the support item, your funding and the agreed service arrangement.
Can my support coordinator arrange NDIS transport for me?
Yes. With the participant’s permission, a support coordinator can contact Hilda Care to discuss transport requirements and submit a referral.
Can I use Victoria's Multi Purpose Taxi Program with NDIS transport funding?
The Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) subsidises eligible commercial passenger vehicle fares for Victorians with accessibility and mobility needs.
MPTP cannot be used with another government-funded program when that program covers all or part of the same fare. If you have access to both MPTP and NDIS transport funding, check which arrangement applies to the particular journey.
What does a Victorian Companion Card cover on public transport?
A Victorian Companion Card can allow an eligible cardholder’s carer or companion to travel free with them on public transport.
The card does not itself provide free or concession travel for the cardholder, so the participant still needs their appropriate ticket, concession or other travel entitlement.
Are vehicle modifications part of NDIS transport funding?
Vehicle modifications are separate from everyday transport support.
The NDIS may fund disability-related vehicle modifications such as wheelchair passenger ramps, wheelchair hoists, modified restraints or driving controls where the relevant requirements are met and the modification is included in the participant’s funding.
Arrange NDIS Transport Support in Melbourne
Transport should make it easier to keep your appointments, activities and everyday commitments, not become another part of your week that is difficult to organise.
If you need assistance travelling to appointments, work, study, community activities or other funded commitments, talk to us about your location, accessibility requirements and NDIS support arrangement.
Hilda Care is a registered NDIS provider registered for Assist-Travel/Transport.
Provider Registration Number: 4050126032
Call 1300 440 777 to discuss NDIS transport in Melbourne.